Envelop-moistener



(No Model.)

' J. G. EVERSMAN. ENVBLOP MOISTBNER.

No. 569,185.' Patented 06u13, 1896.'

a N t llll ria: mms rma: mxmwavomu c,

' JG.mevisman-` gea-Aff" Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. EVERSMAN, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

ENVELOP-MOISTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 569,185, dated. October 13, 1896.

Application filed March 17, 1896.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, eTOEN G. EVERSMAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop- Moisteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. l

My invention relates to improvements in envelop-moisteners, and my object is to obviate the necessity of the disagreeable and unhealthful practice of applying the tongue to the gummed surface of the envelop-flap in order to moisten the gum preparatory to sealing.

My further object is to provide a device of this class which shall be simple in construction, economical in cost, reliable, durable, and efficient in use; and to these lends the invention consists of the features hereinafter dei taining an absorbent pad 6, composed of felt or other similar or suitable material. Attached to this tray, and projecting a short distance above the body thereof, is a apopener composed of a pieoeof wire or other suitable material. As shown in the drawings, one extremity of this wire 7 is secured by soldering or otherwise to one corner of the tray on the inside and extends upward a short distance,where a right-an gular or approximately right-angular bend is formed. Y From this bend the wire extends lengthwise of the tray and terminates at the opposite corner in a freeor unsupported extremity, which allows the wire to yield when subjected to pressure.

serial Nt. 583,502. (No model.)

YIt must be understood that I do not limit the invention to the specific construction set forth, as I am aware that other forms may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Y When the device is in use, the envelop is taken in the hand with the iiap side down and drawn across the wire 7, which catches and opens the flap, so that the gummed surface thereof will be pressed to engagement with the pad 6 when the flap leaves the wire 7. The absorbent pad, which is kept moistened with suiiicient water for the purpose, applies enough moisture for sealing purposes to the gummed surface of the flap. As the envelop is drawn across the wire 7 the latter is subjected to sufficient pressure to cause it to move downward,whereby the flap, as it leaves the yielding wire, passes immediately to contact with the upper surface of the pad, and as the flap is drawn across the pad the gum on the liap is sufcientlymoistened for all practical purposes, as before stated.

It will be readily understood that the necessary sealing moisture may be very rapidly Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-an 1. An envelop-moistener comprising a shallow box or trap containing an absorbent pad, and a flap-opener composed of a piece of wire attached to the tray and projecting a short distance above the body thereof, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An envelop-moistener comprising a shallow tray or pan lled with some suitable absorbent material, and a nap-opener consisting of a piece of wire fastened to one corner of the tray, extending' upward a short distance above the body of the tray to a bend, and extending thence lengthwise of the tray to the opposite corner where it terminates in a free or unsupported extremity,substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. Y

JOHN G. EVERSMAN. Attest:

E. M. DUNEAM, S. E. DUNHAM.

applied to envelops by the use of this device. l 

